WHAT DIETITIANS FEED THEIR OWN CHILDREN

Do the professionals practise what they preach behind closed doors? We asked research dietitian and mother of three Dr Jane Bowen for her insider tips. Plus HFG nutrition experts share their healthy quick kids’ suppers

WITH THREE CHILDREN aged six, four and two, plus a full-time job, Dr Jane Bowen knows how tempting it can be to give in to bad food habits for the sake of an easy life. But, she says, being busy doesn’t have to mean your children miss out on nutrition. Here are her tips for feeding them well, while avoiding confrontation at mealtimes, and setting them on the right track towards nutritious eating for life…

Be a good role model

THE GENERAL APPROACH I take is to behave as I’d expect my children to when it comes to food. I think it’s unreasonable to expect the kids to eat something if I’m not eating it, too. Most of the food I keep in the house is stuff that I’m happy for all of us to eat. They’re faced with non-ideal food options, such as biscuits and crisps, everywhere else they go, so having them in the house and available all the time just normalises them and makes them part of everyday eating, instead of treats.

About Healthy Food Guide

This month our experts and dietitians report on research that shows better sleep aids weight loss (and share diet tips for quality slumber), reveal what they feed their own kids, and give advice on spotting the signs of bowel cancer. We also investigate claims that the 8–week Blood Sugar diet can reverse type 2 diabetes, plus dish up a host of healthier spring eats…